Funnel



FUNNEL.

APPLICATION `FILED OCT. 7, l9l9.

Patented July 20, 1920.

INVENTOR 4 SY 17a/2 W ATmR/WIYJ UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM F. KENDT, 0F BUFFALO, lNEW YORK.

FUN NEL.

Vfrom the funnel when desired by opening the valve which controls the outlet ofthe funnel, such valved funnels being particularly desirable for introducing oil into the crank-case oft gas engines, and for similar purposes.

lt is the object of this invention to provide a funnel of this character having a valve which will tightly close the outlet of the funnel and thus prevent leakage when the same is 'filled with liquid, which is provided with means whereby the valve is re-V liably guided relativelyto the valve seat so as to insure prompt closing and proper seating of the valve, and which is provided with simple, eflicient and convenient means whereby the valve may be opened as well as closed by the same hand which holds the funnel in place, thereby leaving the other hand free to manipulate other parts as required.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a top plan view of a funnel embodying my improvements. Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the same taken on-line 2-2, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a fragmentary cross section, on an enlarged scale, taken on line 3 3, Fig. 2.

Similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several views.

10 represents the body or receptacle of the funnel which is preferably of downwardlyshaped or conical form and provided at its lower small or outlet end with a downwardly -projecting spout 11 and an upwardly-facing valve seat 12 around the out-- let of the body at the junction between the same and the spout.

14 represents a valve which is movable vertically toward and from the seat 12 for the purpose of closing and opening the outlet of the valve body. This valve is preferably of spherical form, as shown in Fig. 2, and may be constructed of any suitable material, ,but preferably metal, so [that its weight together with the parts connected therewith, will operate to close this valve Specification of Letters Patent.

lApplication filed October 7, 1919. Serial No. 329,034.

by gravity when the same is free to do so. This valve is mounted on the central part of the shifting rod 13, which latter has its upper part arranged within the funnel body 10 while its lower part is arranged within the spout. In order to guide' the valve promptly relatively tothe valve seat and Valso to prevent the same from becoming displaced to such an extent as to render its closing uncertain, the lower end of the valve rod 13 is adapted to be guided on the inner side of the spout'll and in order to secure a wide bearing surface for this end of the valve `rod, the lower end of the same is provided with an enlargement 15 having preferably the form of a sphere, as shown in Fig. 2. If the valve rod is released while the funnel is in a more or less inclined position, the enlarged guide 15 at the lower end of the rod by engaging with the inner side of the spout, will direct the valve 14 toward the seat and causeA the same to close promptly and effectively, so that leakage from the funnel as well as 4spilling of any of its contents while the funnel is being manipulated is prevented.

The raising of the valve rod together with the valve and associated parts may be effect` ed in various ways but preferably by the improved means which are shown in the drawings and containing my invention. These means comprise a horizontal cross bar 16 which extends across the upper end of the funnel body and is connected at its opposite ends with the upper edge of the funnel body on diametrically opposite sides thereof. ln the central part of this cross bar the same is provided with an opening 17 which receives the upper part of the valve rod, and at the upper end of the latter the same is provided with a head or enlargement 18.

Above the cross bar 1G and at one side of the center of the funnel, is arranged a lever having an inner arm, an outer arm 20 and a centrally-downwardly curved portion 21 forming a hub or fulcrum for this lever whereby the same rests upon the upperside of the cross bar 16. The inner arm of this lever is preferably connected with the upper end of the valve rod by providing this arm with an opening 22 which receives the upper end of the valve rod immediately below this head 18. The outer arm 2() of this lever forms a handle or finger piece which upon being depressed serves to turn the lever vertically and cause the valve rod to beV lifted and move the valve 14 upwardlyand into an open position as indicated by dotted lines Vin F ig. 2.

Various means may be provided for pivotally connecting this lever with the crossA bar 16 but -the meanswhich are shown in structedin the form .of a loop which issecured'vtotheupper side of the crossV bar lr6 and extendsoverthe downwardly-bent central part lV of theV lever. This loopv in its preferred form has its opposite ends24 construc'tedI of'circular form and secured on its undersides to the top of the cross bar 16 by means of soldering or otherwise, while the central part'23 thereof is also of circular formandarranged eccentrically relatively to the ends 24, so that the underside of its central part is elevated and a space or gap is formed between the sameV and ,the top of the cross bar 16 which receives the downwardly-bent central part 21 of the lever. The downwardly-bent central part 2 1 of this lever is curved to such an extent that the same embraces the underside of the Vcentral part 23 lof the loop and thereby holds the lever against movement in the direction of its length, and at the same time this loop prevents the lever from being bodily lifted or moved laterally. These means ofV connecting the lever with the cross bar are very simple and not liable to get out of order, and they can also be produced at small cost.

The particular form of loop whereby the lever is held in place can be very easily constructed from round metal by simply turning down a part thereof,rso as to form the eccentric centralpart thereof.

At one side of the funnel, preferably on the same side of the body on which the handle 20 isY arranged,the. body l0 is provided with a handle'25 which may be grasped by the fingers of one hand'while the thumb of the same hand operates the' lever, thereby permitting' of using this funnel for discharging oil or other liquid where desired Vby the 'use ofA oriehand only, leaving the other hand of the person free to attend to "such other work as'may be required. Y This is particularly desirable when supplyingoil tothelcrank case ofa gas engine inwhich said body on diametrically opposite sides thereof, an upright rod guided at its upper end on said cross bar and providedwith a valve which controls said outlet, a loop secured to the upper side of said cross piece, and a lever having a downwardly-bent central part which is confined between said loop and Lcross piece and having one of its arms connectedwith said rod while its other Y arm serves as a handle.

2. A funnel comprising a body or recep tacle'having'an outlet at vits vlower small end and a valve seat around said outlet, a cross bar extending over the upper end of said body andconnected at its opposite ends to 'said body on diametrically opposite sides thereof, an uprightk rod guided at'its upper end on said cross bar and provided with a valve which controls said outlet, a loop having circular ends secured on their underside to the upper side of said cross bar anda circular central part which is ele-V vated and eccentric relative to said ends, and a lever having a downwardly-curved central part which rests on the upper side of said bar and embraces the underside of the elevated central part of said loop and having one of its arms operatively connected with said rod while the other arm thereof serves as a handle. p

VILLIAM F. KEN DT. 

